Stoner to quit after season

World motorcycling champion Casey Stoner (26) stunned the sport yesterday by announcing he will quit at the end of the season for “family reasons”.

The Australian, who has won 35 MotoGP races in his career and leads the current standings after winning two of the season’s three events, made his announcement at a news conference ahead of Sunday’s French Grand Prix.

“After a long period of thought and numerous discussions with my wife and family, I have decided to stop competing at the end of the season,” said the Honda star.

“After so many years taking part in this sport that I love, and with all the sacrifices that I have had to make, I no longer have the passion to continue and I think that it is best to stop.”

Stoner, who also won the world title in 2007 with Ducati, became a father for the first time in February when his wife Adrianna gave birth to a baby daughter.